Page 53 of Off the Hook

“That would be amazing. I hope it works out.” I could use a friend in the Keys.

Turning south onto US-1, Laura glanced my way. “I’ve talked about me this whole time. How areyou? How’s it going with that Coulter guy? You never filled me in on the deets. You guys must be hot and heavy by now.”

“Not so hot. But very heavy,” I answered with a sigh.

Her brows scrunched together, mouth twisting quizzically. “What’s that mean?”

“Well, when I told you we hung out, it seemed he had been cleared as a suspect. Obviously, or I wouldn’t have slept with him.”

“But…?”

I told her the Cliff’s Notes version of how Coulter was still a suspect and that Oscar really had it in for him and continued to build a case against him.

“When it’s too complicated, sometimes it’s best to just move on,” Laura said matter-of-factly.

That was easy for her to say. She could swipe left and erase a guy after she decided he wasn’t a match. It was different with Coulter.

“What if he’s the one?” I asked, my voice unsure.

She turned to me with a scowl on her face. “What if you have a thing for toxic relationships?”

I glared at her before turning my gaze forward. “Just as likely,” I admitted.

We rode without speaking for the last half-mile to the Italian Fisherman. After we’d ordered, I had to break the awkward silence.

“How’s your mom?” She’d gone through a nasty divorce last year.

Laura dipped a bread roll in olive oil, smiling. “She’s great. Turns out that Dad cheating was the best thing that ever happened to her. She is spending more time with her friends. They play pickleball so much I think she might be having an affair with the instructor.”

“Seriously?” I giggled, which felt good.

“Yeah. He’s pretty hot too, in a 60-year-old Tom Selleck sort of way.”

“Tell me more about this Islander guy,” I prodded, as the waiter appeared with our pastas. Laura gushed about how fun he was in the sack, not even trying to keep her voice down. Flashbacks of sex with Coulter kept filling my mind and stealing my appetite.

There was a lull while Laura played with her pasta with her fork and I could tell she was debating on whether to ask before she did.

“I know you really like Coulter. But do you think it’s possible that he did it?”

“No. I’m sure he’s innocent. I’ve been working two steps behind Oscar, trying to dispel every doubt he brings forth. All the real evidence shows that Coulter didn’t do it.”

“Phew. Because killing his ex when she finally found happiness would be a major red flag…” Laura said, deadpan.

After we had a good laugh, I said, “Doesn’t matter now anyway. He said he never wants to see me again.”

Laura chuckled. “Good luck with that in Smuggler’s Cove. This town is so small you’ll probably run into him three times a week.”

“Unfortunately, I keep having to see him in the INVESTIGATION.”

“Whatever,” she waved her hand, dismissing the discomfort I’d divulged. “If he’s mad at you for doing your job, you’re better off without him.”

Then why did it feel so much betterwithhim?

CHAPTER 28

COULTER

Iheard my front door creak open and footsteps echo down the hallway. In my half-asleep daze, part of me was hoping it was Faith. Unfortunately before I knew it, a familiar, no-nonsense face stood over me.

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